We woke up at 6:30 AM to find new neighbors parked way too close for comfort. Ya got the whole forest to camp in, and they park right next to us!
Gayla made a pot of fresh coffee, and that was enough to get me moving. We packed up slowly and were on the road by 7:52 AM.
Our morning drive took us through the “big town” of Buford, Wyoming. It used to have a population of 1, but now boasts a grand total of zero residents. Amazingly, the gas station is still open.
From there, we rolled on through Cheyenne and down to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. We fueled up, let the dogs stretch their legs, and checked on Clifford. He was running great—and gave us an outstanding 14.626 mpg!
Back on I‑80 eastbound, we stopped at the Purple Heart Rest Area around 12:15 PM. I grabbed a bite to eat and took a much‑needed power nap.
Once back on the road, we flew past Paxton, Nebraska, thinking we might camp at Sutherland Reservoir—but I remembered we stayed there last year. Instead, we opted for Hershey Wildlife Management Area, a free camping spot close to the interstate but with sites spaced far apart. No real amenities, but the price was right—free!
At some point, we crossed into the Central Time Zone and were welcomed by classic Midwestern summer heat. At 4:30 PM, it was 95°F with a heat index of 100°F. I was thankful for the air conditioner I had installed in Clifford back in June. The dogs were just as grateful.
After cooling down, I fired up the grill to cook chicken and steak for tacos. A strong evening breeze made it perfect for outdoor cooking. Dinner was delicious, and afterward we sat outside and watched traffic hum along the interstate as the day wound down.
Miles driven today: 251.96
Total miles so far: 2,452.34
GPS Coordinates: 41.1630° N, 100.8610° W
